Need a quick way to rappel from palm trees

[Tree94]

Looking for some ideas on a quick rappel from palm trees.

My old boss used to just tie one end of the rope off with a clove hitch to his harness, and then hold for dear life on the standing end with his hands while tending the rope himself while rappeling. Probably one of the sketchiest things I've ever seen.

But I'm looking to employ a similar method, tie one end off with an anchor hitch to my harness, and use something like a figure 8, or munter hitch , etc to tend the standing end of rope while rappeling.

Whatever it is, it just needs to be smooth and consistent cause if you sit on the palm trees too much or apply too much force, the rope gets jammed in the fronds.

Thanks in advance

 

[TheJollyLogger]

So you're going through the crown and coming down ddrt?

 

[Tree94]

So you're going through the crown and coming down ddrt?

yea

 

[TheJollyLogger]

I prefer srt with a base tie, but if you're doing ddrt what's wrong with a blakes?

 

[Tree94]

I prefer srt with a base tie, but if you're doing ddrt what's wrong with a blakes?

I think i misworded my original post. every where i used the term, "running end" replace it with "standing end" (part of rope that runs to the ground).

and im curious as to what end of the rope do you tie ur base tie with? do you tie it in a way that another person could belay you down?

and the blakes works, i just hate rappelling that fast on a friction hitch

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Base tie one end, pass it through the canopy and come down the other leg on an eight or my R.I.G.

 

[Tree94]

Base tie one end, pass it through the canopy and come down the other leg on an eight or my R.I.G.

i like that method, i just feel like by the time you base tie it, pass the remaining length of rope, (100' plus) through and over the canopy, and rappel down, you could of just spiked down faster.
maybe im just being lazy..

so you've never just tied the working end of the rope to your harness and used the figure 8 on the standing part to rappel?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

It works ok, just a little hard on the fronds and the rope. You can always throw a friction saver on it. I usually set it up first and climb them srt. My customers appreciate a spikeless prune.

 

[Tree94]

It works ok, just a little hard on the fronds and the rope. You can always throw a friction saver on it. I usually set it up first and climb them srt. My customers appreciate a spikeless prune.

friction saver around the trunk correct? i always wondered how well it holds. feels like it could just slip right down the trunk.

and the only thing about setting the rope from the ground srt that i dont like is how it could potentially crush 1 or 2 center fronds if you dont get a perfect center throw between them

 

[Tree94]

or did you mean friction saver around a few fronds?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Friction saver through the canopy.

 

[Tree94]

is it a pain in the as to get the friction saver out from the ground when your done?

 

[Tree94]

you talking about the ring style friction saver?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Nah, just put a stopper not on the end of your rope, pops right out.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Leather or hose type works best in this situation.

 

[Tree94]

ahh, good deal, i might give that a shot. thanks.

as far as rappelling with the friction saver method, what kind of system do you recommend tying up?
just like a traditional ddrt with a blakes hitch?
or use a figure 8 with one end of rope terminated to your harness?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

If you've already got your blakes set for your second TIP before you start cutting, might as well come down on that instead of untying and setting up your eight.

 

[Tree94]

oh no I rarely use 2 tie in points when doing palms. Sometimes I'll bring up 2 lanyards and wrap them both around the trunk. But as far as throwing my climb line through the canopy and then start to cut, that's just too close to cutting my climb line for my likings

 

[TheJollyLogger]

T.I.T.S. , Bro...

 

[KenJax Tree]

T.I.T.S. , Bro...

I like tits. I agree Tie In Twice Stupid.

How is your shoulder Jeffro?